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29 May 2009

World Vital Records has recently added the Unpublished Roll of Honor by Mark Hughes to its subscription site. This book is an addition to the 27 volume Roll of Honor (link leads to Nos. I - VI) compiled by the U.S. Quartermaster's Department 1865-1871. The first compilation was "a listing of the names of over 300,000 Union soldiers buried in national cemeteries, garrison cemeteries, soldiers' lots, and private graveyards, more than two-thirds of the men having been disinterred from their original burial sites on or near the various battlefields." [Description on Genealogical.com website.]

The Unpublished Roll of Honor includes "records of national cemeteries omitted from the original series, records of headstone requests (often for soldiers who were buried in private cemeteries), and records of post cemeteries that eluded the original compilers. All told, something like 8,500 men are listed here with (usually) their rank, company, and unit. The data is arranged by state and therein alphabetically by cemetery, and all names are conveniently listed in the index." [Description on World Vital Records website.]

Oh, FYI: Ancestry.com has this database included in their subscription service also. An interesting note, however, is the discrepancy in the numbers of names that seem to be included in this source. Per the description on the WVR website (see above), there are "something like 8,500 men" listed. Ancestry's database has a "name count estimate" of 5,746... Go figure. I'm just a messenger on this one.

Why is this being mentioned on the Southern Graves blog? The Table of Contents show there are soldiers buried in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and more southern states included in the book. An example: on page 27 are listed a couple of soldiers, A. K. Ostrem and Elijah Warren, who died in Macon, GA after the Civil War. In 1873, their bodies were moved to Andersonville National Cemetery.

25 May 2009

[This post was originally published at my Lincecum Lineage blog. Since the topic for the current Graveyard Rabbit Carnival is Veterans Memorials, I thought it would be nice to add to and highlight this post here at Southern Graves.]

Michael Peavy was my great-great-grandfather. During the American Civil War, he fought with Company C, 54th Georgia (1862-1864). He lost his right arm from amputation 18 June 1864 at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. Though you cannot tell it from his military gravestone, Grandpa survived the amputation. This is somewhat of a miracle, considering how many soldiers lost their lives from infections contracted during surgeries such as his.

At the top of Michael Peavy's gravestone is an engraving of the Southern Cross of Honor. His service in the Confederate States Army is noted, but no birth or death dates are present. This is the only stone for Grandpa Peavy visible at his gravesite in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery; Washington County, Georgia. While the main reason for this is likely financial, I find it somewhat fitting since his time in the CSA had to be a series after series of defining moments in his life.

Michael Peavy's pension file was over 30 pages. While there was no new information for me, I was a little surprised at how much information was included. At the very least, this file provided confirmation of some details and is another source for documentation.

Before I go further, I want to note: Georgia's online Virtual Vault also contains Confederate pension files. When searching for Michael Peavy, I only found a couple of pages. Those couple of pages were not found in the search at Ancestry.com. Odd.

The first image in the file was Michael Peavy's 1880 application for an artificial arm, valued at $60. Mike Peavy appears before the Washington County, Georgia ordinary and deposes that he was a bona fide resident of the state of Georgia; that he enlisted in the military service of the Confederate States as a private in Company C, Regiment of 54th Georgia Volunteers; that while engaged in such military service, at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain in the state of Georgia on 18 June 1864, he was wounded in the arm, and that the same was amputated above the elbow; and he has not received payment allowed him.

Something on this page that struck me was Michael Peavy's signature. I wonder if he had been right-handed, and without this hand, had to sign left-handed:

The next image contained AN ACT. To carry into effect the last clause of Paragraph 1, Section 1, Article 7 of the Constitution 1877:

Section I states that a Georgia resident and Confederate veteran who lost a limb or limbs during military service is entitled to money for an artificial limb ($60 for an arm extending above the elbow).

Section III states "that no applicant shall receive the sum allowed under this act oftener than once in five years."

Michael received another payment of $60 in 1886.

During the late 1880's and 1890's, Michael was on a "regular" pension roll. He received $100 a year. In 1889, his application was slightly more detailed. Michael says under oath that he has been a resident of the state of Georgia his entire life. He enlisted in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the States, and served as a private in Company C of 54th Regiment of Georgia Volunteers, Mercer's Brigade. While engaged in such military service, at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, he was wounded as follows: "by a minnie ball, shattering the right arm above the elbow, necessitating its amputation."

9 January 1907: M. Peavy signed with a shaky hand one last time for his disabled soldier's pension. He died 20 November of that same year. The next year, his widow Sarah Ann Peavy filed the paperwork to receive Michael's pension owed him just prior to his death. An affidavit was supplied to prove Sarah was Michael's widow.

In October 1919, Sarah Ann Peavy submitted another application for a widow's pension. She had to answer some questions, have a witness answer some questions, and provide a copy of her marriage certificate with Michael Peavy.

Some information provided by Mrs. Sarah Ann Peavy 4 October 1919 in Washington County, Georgia:- Mrs. Peavy was residing in Harrison, Washington County, Georgia.- She had been a resident of the state of Georgia all her life.- Sarah married Michael Peavy 9 October 1870 in Hancock County, Georgia.- Michael died November 1907 in Johnson County, Georgia.- Sarah and Michael were living together when he died.- Michael was placed on the invalid soldier pension roll in 1890. He was getting $100 per year.Mrs. Peavy also recounts Michael's Confederate military service. One additional note: Sarah Peavy always signed with an "X".

Some information provided by T. H. Waldon, "the witness," 4 October 1919 in Johnson County, Georgia:- Mr. Waldon knew Michael Peavy from 1862 - 1907.- Mr. Waldon was a member of the same company as Michael during the Civil War.Mr. Waldon also recounted Michael's Confederate military service.

Michael Peavy's Confederate Pension application file also contained affidavits from a few individuals swearing to Michael's military service. Several attorney appointments and payment receipts were included, as well.

20 May 2009

Macon Weekly Telegraph22 January 1892NOTES OF LOCAL INTERESTThe Jackson Artillery!

"Here is something I want every Confederate soldier in Macon to see, and every Federal for the matter of that."

"I want them to see it because I want them to know that the daughter of an old Confederate, catching the inspiration from old war stories and these war relics, has combined natural genius with natural sentiment, and has painted these relics of the Jackson Artillery with an artist's brush and the spirit of a soldier's daughter."

It was Captain Tom Massenburg who spoke. He stood before an oil painting of "Relics of the Jackson Artillery."

Only a flag, dear to the Southerner's heart, torn by the pitiless storms of leaden hail that poured upon its folds as it waved proudly in the breeze at Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Chicamauga, Missionary Ridge, Mobile or Atlanta.

Only a bared sabre, whose jagged edge tells of something more real than the holiday exercise of the recruit. A sabre, whose blade has flashed in the sunlight, fallen and risen again, dyed with the life blood of an enemy to the flag on which it is resting now.

Only a bugle, whose notes have been echoed from gloomy valley to mountain top, blushing from the first kiss of day. It is silent now and no more evil sound the summons that has thrilled many a heart with the exe[?]acy of war.

Tom Massenburg was captain of the Jackson Artillery. The sabre is his and the scabbard peeps out from the careless folds of that flag for which the sabre leaped from its resting place thirty years ago. The bugle, standing out so well in the foreground, so perfect in light and shadow and exquisite in coloring, was blown by Bugler Alphonse Stroemer. Stroemer, whose name is well known in Macon, but who has long since gone to join the innumerable host that waits on the silent shore for the sound of the last great summons.

The flag belongs to the past and its dead. It belongs to those who fought under its shadow. It belongs to the members of the Jackson Artillery living and dead.

Here in Macon Tom Massenburg, Willis Price, "Daisy" Price, Charlie Wood, A. B. Quinker, George A. Dure, Fred Abel and William Abel, with a few others, can lay claim to that flag. If Miss Annie Massenburg, the fair artist whose brush lent that wealth of color to the whole and whose heart dictated the touches that gave it life, if she would place on canvas the thing most dear to the memory of those men it must surely be the counterpart of those torn, battered and war-stained relics of the Jackson Artillery.

[Note: Tom Massenburg, Willis Price, Charlie Wood, A. B. Quinker, George A. Dure, Fred Abel, William Abel, and the artist Annie Massenburg are all buried in Rose Hill Cemetery; Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. I have only, thus far, found mention of Confederate service on two of their stones.]

14 May 2009

Cynthia Logue Barrentine: Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Wife, Mother, and Friend. We lost my Aunt Cindy almost nine years ago, and, for me, it's still hard to think about her without longing to see her again. Hear her again. Hug her again...

The topic for the upcoming Carnival of Genealogy is "Mothers." My first instinct, of course, was to write about my own mother. She raised me and taught me so much. In fact, she continues to raise and teach me! Not only as my mother, but now as my friend. However, I don't think my mother would mind that I was guided to her sister Cindy.

I am constantly reminded that Cindy left behind a daughter. She's in high school now, and I cannot imagine how she must ache for her mother. This post, however, is from my point of view. And that is how I intend to tell you about Cindy.

Cindy was one tough lady. The phrase, "cuss like a sailor," would fit her just fine. What was funny, though, was (as far as I could tell) she was the only one who could get away with it in my grandparents' (her parents) home. Four siblings grew up in that household, but only one would let 'em fly. Why? I guess because, well, that was Cindy.

To further illustrate the "one tough lady" remark: During our last conversation, Cindy told me to be sure to "not take sh*t" from anyone. To put it mildly, her opinions were not filtered, and they were freely given. She always knew when and where to give them, though. She would never embarrass you. Time and place were something she had an instinct for.

During my times with just her, her words were always kind. This tough woman had a heart full of love, and I never doubted it. I know now that she was always teaching me. Back then, it just seemed like goofing off and having fun! :-)

When I got a little older, she continued to keep me under her wing. Something I will always remember was she refused to let me call her ma'am. I was raised to say "yes, ma'am; yes, sir" and the like. Of course, when I was around a lot of family members, it would come naturally and often. If I addressed her in that fashion, though, her response would be, "What?!" Sometimes it would take me a minute to get what she was referring to, but then a light bulb would go off, and I would apologize.

Some might not think that whole scenario to be a big deal, but it conveyed a lot to me. Cindy believed her and I to be equals. I could speak to her about anything (and I did), and she would return the favor.

And Cindy was the most non-judgemental person I have ever known! She treated everyone the same, with whatever respect they deserved. She would strive to give a person whatever needed to better their self and their life.

While Cindy was a firm believer in God her whole life, when her daughter was born she strengthened her walk with Him. She knew her daughter being surrounded by family and friends would not always be enough. Cindy was a wonderful role model for her child, giving her the foundation I believe she needed to live fully without her mother physically by her side.

Maybe that's one of the reasons a statue in Bonaventure Cemetery struck me so. It was an angel, and just below her feet was the inscription "Cindy." This memorial was, of course, for another woman who went by that name. And while I'm sure the other woman was equally deserving, that image always comes to mind when I think of my Cindy in her Heavenly form.

There's so much more I want to tell you about Cindy -- how she was the one who enabled me to watch scary movies, how she liked her oatmeal cookies so soft they would melt in your mouth, how her potato salad is to this day my favorite food, how she was NOT a morning person, how she always told me to watch out for snakes when I left her house, how her laugh was quiet yet contagious... how I can still feel her love, even at this very moment.

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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)